Celtics, Cavs still expected to complete Kyrie Irving trade

Woodrow Mcdonald

If the trade is nixed by Cleveland, it would be back to square one for both of these teams, plus the added awkwardness of seeing their old All-Stars back after a refund situation. The Celtics have hoarded draft picks for the opportunity to land a young star like Kyrie Irving, and they can't let him slip through their fingertips.

ESPN analyst and former Nets front-office executive Bobby Marks suggested the Celtics could throw in their 2018 first-round pick with protections to appease the Cavs, with the idea that Irving, 25, should be their point guard for the next seven seasons. The Cavaliers continue to seek additional compensation from the Celtics and could reject the trade if their request isn't met, while leaving Thomas in limbo ahead of next year's free agent market.

Should the deal fall through and the star guards remain on their current teams, National Basketball Association fans can enjoy increased drama between Irving and James and Thomas and the franchise that was happy to trade him. This season could be (will be?) LeBron James's past year in Cleveland and thus Thomas's health for the 2017-18 season becomes paramount.

PAUL GEORGE: After George indicated he planned to leave IN as a free agent next summer, the Pacers went ahead and dealt the four-time all-star to the Oklahoma City Thunder this summer for guard Victor Oladipo and forward Damontas Sabonis.

An already shocking trade has become all the more complex.

Cleveland has until Thursday to decide if they will still accept the trade or veto it. Still, it is unlikely that the Celtics could find a point guard of Thomas' stature on the market - never mind Irving's.

He asked for a trade and has wanted no part of a return to the Cavaliers. According to Himmelsbach, Bogut considered signing with Boston last February before ultimately agreeing to a deal with the Cavaliers.

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